US Army Aggressor Helicopter Conversions And Proposals

No, Mi-8 Hip most likely acquired for maintenance training.
 
I found this great photo of the Huey D disguised as a Hind

1538140470_irokez-peredelannyj.png
 
Those "Vismod" UH-1 were used at the U.S. Army's National Training Center for a number of years as the Opposing Force aviation force. The picture by NoBarrelRolls shows all of the MILES (laser engagement system) on the aircraft. The pod on the weapon mount was used to "shoot" various laser codes to replicate different weapons. The studded strap across the nose were the sensors used to register laser hits against the aircraft. Because the crews knew the terrain so well they had a bad habit of showing up unexpectedly from positions one would not have expected.
 
@RavenOne - The Observer/Controllers (evaluators) at the U.S. Army Training Centers are now using UH-72. Some of them have been painted in "OPFOR" color to be used for threat helicopter occasionally during training events. I don't know if they are rigged to carry the laser engagement systems such as is on the picture of the UH-1H above.
 
The paper also suggested using modified Puma SA-330 helicopters after seeing the results in the movie Red Dawn. The Army liked the notion of using a modified Pumas for OPFOR Aggressors, but did not like the costs associated with operating them or the idea that civilian contractors would be flying in the role. The paper identified the recommended Aggressor helicopter configuration as:

Be able to maneuver at levels equal to or greater than the principal Threat (HIND/HIP)
Be optimized for high speed flight
Possess' four to five rotor blades
Be a fairly large helicopter
Possess outboard wing stores for outward visualidentification
Have a crew of two Army pilots
Possess a Mission Equipment Package which simplybut accurately replicates Long Range ATGM capabilities, massed medium-range rocket fires and a fixed, forward firing cannon
Be capable of transporting at least 6-12 troops for secondary air assault operations
Not necessarily be one type of helicopter (two or more types of helicopters would probably be needed: one attack type, one transport type)
Be capable of being modified to keep pace with future Threat modernization trends.
 

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Is there any chance there are other QS-55 photos out there? I'm again contemplating the idea of a model after having received a copy of the old Airfix 1/72 kit as a gift last year...

AW&ST cover from the website of Orlando's successor company Vertical Aviation Technologies.
 

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